Carton With Access Feature

ABSTRACT

A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton having a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels includes a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel. The plurality of panels forming a first compartment for holding the plurality of articles. Liquid-tight features are between the bottom panel and a respective one of the first side panel and the second side panel. Access features are in at least the top panel for accessing the interior of the carton and forming a second compartment that opens to the first compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/179,178 filed Apr. 29, 2015.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/179,178, which was filed Apr. 29, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a carton for handling and carrying articles, and particularly to cartons having a top access feature and liquid-tight or leakage resistant features.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton comprising a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprises a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel. The plurality of panels forming a first compartment for holding the plurality of articles. Liquid-tight features are between the bottom panel and a respective one of the first side panel and the second side panel. Access features are in at least the top panel for accessing the interior of the carton and forming a second compartment that opens to the first compartment.

In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles. The blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel. The plurality of panels being for forming a first compartment for holding the plurality of articles in the carton formed from the blank. The blank has features for forming liquid-tight features between the bottom panel and a respective one of the first side panel and the second side panel in the carton formed from the blank. The blank has access features in at least the top panel for allowing access to the interior of the carton formed from the blank and for forming a second compartment that opens to the first compartment in the carton formed from the blank.

In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles. The method comprising obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels including a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel. The blank comprises features for forming liquid-tight features between the bottom panel and a respective one of the first side panel and the second side panel and access features in at least the top panel. The method comprises forming a first compartment for holding the plurality of articles by positioning the plurality of panels to form an interior of the carton, and activating the access features to access the interior of the carton and forming a second compartment that opens to the first compartment.

In another spaced, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of expanding the interior volume of a carton.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the access feature in the top panel can be opened and volume of the carton expanded so that ice, cold water, additional containers, and/or other articles can be placed in the carton through the opened top end. The interior volume of the carton can be used to retain liquids, such as water resulting from melting ice, condensation, other liquids, and articles such as, for example, refuse, particulate matter, etc.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the carton comprises a primary compartment or bottom receptacle and a secondary compartment above the primary compartment that can be assembled to expand the interior of the carton. The bottom receptacle of the carton can be constructed to have a height that extends above the bottom panel of the carton, below which there are no seams sealed by glue or other adhesives. The bottom receptacle may therefore be liquid-tight.

Other aspects, features, and details of the present disclosure can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank used to form a carton according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exterior view of a partially erected carton according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an interior view of a partially erected carton according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exterior view of a fully erected carton according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exterior view of a carton with a partially separated access feature according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exterior view of a carton with partially separated access flaps according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an exterior view of a carton with a partially formed secondary compartment.

FIG. 8 is an exterior view of a carton with a partially formed secondary compartment.

FIG. 9 is an exterior view of a fully erected carton with a fully formed secondary compartment.

FIG. 10 is a profile view of a fully erected carton with a fully formed secondary compartment.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a fully erected carton with a fully formed secondary compartment.

Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below generally relate to a carton suitable for storing and dispensing articles such as, for example, beverage containers. The carton provides a bottom receptacle suitable for accommodating, for example, liquids, ice, or other coolants in the carton bottom. In one exemplary embodiment, ice can be added to the opened top of the carton to cool beverage containers held within the carton. As the ice melts, all or a part of the resultant runoff water may be held within the bottom receptacle.

Articles accommodated within the present carton embodiments can include articles or containers such as, for example, metallic beverage cans, glass or plastic bottles, or other containers such as, for example, those used in packaging foodstuffs and other products. For the purposes of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes generally cylindrical metallic beverage containers as disposed within the carton. In this specification, the terms “side,” “end,” “bottom,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected, upright cartons.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank 5 used to form a carton 150 (illustrated in FIG. 4) according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The exterior or printed surface 3 of the blank 5 is shown in FIG. 1. The blank 5 has a longitudinal axis L1 extending along a length of the blank, and a lateral axis L2 extending along a width of the blank. As discussed in detail below, the carton 150 includes a bottom receptacle or compartment 153 that is for containing articles such as beverage containers C and has liquid-tight feature for retaining liquid, and a top access features 155 that forms a secondary compartment 157 on top of the bottom receptacle 153 for receiving ice or other coolant and allowing access to the interior of the carton containing the beverage containers. In the illustrated embodiment, the carton 150 is sized to house twenty-four containers C in a single layer in a 4×6 arrangement, but it is understood that the carton 150 may be sized and shaped to hold containers of a different or same quantity in more than one layer and/or in different row/column arrangements (e.g., 1×6, 3×4, 2×6×2, 3×4×2, 3×5, 4×5, 3×6, 2×9, 2×6, 4×4, etc.).

The blank 5 comprises a bottom panel 10, first and second side panels 20 foldably connected to each side of the bottom panel 10 at lateral fold lines 21, respectively, a second top panel 30 foldably connected to the first side panel 20 at a lateral fold line 31, and a first top panel 40 foldably connected to the second side panel 20 at a lateral fold line 41. Adhesive 36 may be applied to the print or exterior surface 3 of the second top panel 30. A bottom end panel 60 is foldably connected to each end of the bottom panel 10 at a longitudinal fold line 62. A closure flap 70 is foldably connected to a distal end of each bottom end panel 60 at a longitudinal fold line 71. In this specification, the terms “end” and “side” are used for ease of reference, and do not imply relative sizes of the end panels 20 and the side panels 60, for example.

The first top panel 40 may include a breathable line of disruption 50 or tear strip extending generally in the longitudinal direction L1 that separates two top access flaps 52, 54 that are foldably connected to the first top panel 40 at respective longitudinal fold lines 55, 57. Each top access flap includes a respective longitudinal fold line 59, 61 that divides each top access flap into respective first and second portions 52 a, 52 b, 54 a, 54 b. The top access flaps 52, 54 are separable from the top panel 40 at respective spaced-apart tear lines 63, 65 that extend generally laterally between respective ends of the longitudinal fold lines 55, 57. In one embodiment, the first top panel 40 includes top end flaps 67, 69 foldably connected at respective ends of the top panel at respective longitudinal fold lines 71, 73. The first top panel 40 could have other features and/or be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second top panel 30 includes two second top access flaps 91, 93 that are separable from each other by a line of weakening 89. Each of the second top access flaps 91, 93 are foldably connected to the second top panel 30 at a respective lateral fold line 95, 97. The access flaps 91, 93 include a respective base portion 91 a, 93 a, a first end portion 91 b, 93 b foldably connected to the base portion at a respective first end of the base portion, and a second end portion 91 c, 93 c foldably connected to the base portion at a respective second end of the base portion. As shown in FIG. 1, the end portions 91 b, 91 c, 93 b, 93 c are removably connected to the end flaps 75, 77 at respective longitudinal tear lines 85, 87 and are foldably connected to a respective base portion 91 a, 93 a of the access flaps 91, 93 at a respective longitudinal fold line 79, 81. In one embodiment, the adjacent first end portions 91 b, 93 b are separated by opening 92 in the second top panel 30 and the adjacent second end portions 91 c, 93 c are separated by an opening 94 in the second top panel. A tear line 96 extends between the openings 92, 94 and separates the base portions 91 a, 91 b of the access flaps 91, 93. In one embodiment, the line of weakening 89 comprises the tear line 96 and the openings 92, 94. As shown in FIG. 1, the fold lines 79, 81 include cuts 83 that extend into the base portion 91 a, 93 a of a respective access flap 91, 93. The second top panel 30 could have other features and/or be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.

A lower gusset 80 is located at each corner of the bottom panel 10, extending between and connected to an adjacent side panel 20 and bottom end panel 60. Each lower gusset 80 comprises a first gusset panel 82 foldably connected to a bottom end panel 60 at the lateral fold line 21, a second gusset panel 84 foldably connected to a side panel 20 at the longitudinal fold line 62 and the first gusset panel 82 at an oblique fold line 86.

An exemplary method of erecting the carton 150 from the blank 5 is discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-4. The carton 150 can be erected with other methods or folding steps without departing from the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the blank 5 is folded flat and the interior surface of the first top panel 40 is adhered to the print or exterior surface of the second top panel 30 by the adhesive 36 so that the second top panel is overlapped by the first top panel. The partially erected blank may then be opened up into a generally tubular form or sleeve (FIG. 2) having open ends. The carton 150 may be filled with articles such as, for example, generally cylindrical beverage containers (not shown) before closing one or both ends of the carton. From the tubular, open-ended carton form, the first and second gusset panels 82, 84 are folded inwardly with respect to each other about the oblique fold lines 86. Each bottom end panel 60 and closure flap 70 are folded upwardly and the overlapped top end flaps 67, 75 and 69, 77 are downwardly folded. The top end flaps 67, 69 of the first top panel 40 extend beyond the top end flaps 75, 77 of the second top panel 30 so that the top end flaps 67, 69 overlap the bottom end panels 60 and are adhesively attached thereto. Also, the distal portions 75 b, 77 b of the top end flaps 75, 77 overlap the closure flaps 70 and can be adhesively attached thereto. The ends of the carton 150 can be closed by other features or forming steps without departing from the disclosure. At this stage, the containers are contained in the interior space 158 of the carton 150 that comprises the lower compartment 153.

FIG. 4 illustrates the carton 150 erected from the blank 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the carton 150 is loaded with twenty-four generally cylindrical twelve-ounce beverage containers C disposed in a 4×6×1 configuration. Embodiments with alternative configurations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The carton 150 has a generally parallelepipedal shape with the first and second top panels 30, 40 forming a top wall 154 closing a top end of the carton 150. At each end of the carton 150, the end flaps 67, 69, 75, 77, overlap the closure flap 70 and bottom end panel 60. Each of the bottom end panels 60, the side panels 20, and the gussets 80 cooperate to form the bottom compartment 153 that is a liquid tight lower receptacle because of the positioning of the gussets 80.

An exemplary method of accessing the carton and expanding the volume of the carton 150 is discussed below with reference to FIGS. 5-11.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, to begin activating the access features of the carton 150, the tear strip 50 is removed from the first top panel 40 to access the first top access flaps 52, 54. Next, the top access flaps 52, 54 are folded upwardly about respective fold lines 55, 57 in the direction of arrow A1 (FIG. 6) to provide access to the second top access flaps 91, 93. As shown in FIG. 7, the second top access flaps 91, 93 are upwardly folded about respective fold line 95, 97 with the end flaps 75, 77 remaining attached to a respective top end flap 67, 69 and the end portions 91 b, 93 b, 91 c, 93 c remaining attached to the base portion 91 a, 93 a of the top access flaps 91, 93 at fold lines 79, 8 and separating from the end flaps 75, 77 along the tear line 85, 87. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the end portions 91 b, 93 b, 91 c, 93 c of the access flaps 91, 93 are folded to be approximately 90 degrees from the upwardly folded base portions 91 a, 93 a of the second top access flaps 91, 93. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the cuts 83 along the fold lines 79, 81 connecting the end portions 91 b, 93 b, 91 c, 93 c to the base portions 91 a, 93 a form openings 97 in the second top access flaps 91, 93. The tear lines 63, 65 that form the first top access flaps 52, 54 are shaped to form tabs 99 (broadly “male locking features”) in respective edges of the first top access flaps. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the first top access flaps 52, 54 are folded about respective fold lines 59, 61 so that the distal portion 52 b, 54 b of a respective first top access flap 52, 54 is folded relative to the base portion 52 a, 54 a so that both the base portion and the distal portion of each first top access flap overlaps and is in face-to-face contact with the end portions 91 b, 93 b, 91 c, 93 c of the second access flaps 91, 93 and the tabs 99 are received in a respective opening 97 to lock the first top access flaps in the overlapping engagement with the end portions 91 b, 93 b, 91 c, 93 c of the second top access flap 91, 93 as shown in FIGS. 9-11.

As discussed above and shown in the drawings, the top access features 155 include the first top access flaps 52, 54 and the second top access flap 91, 93 that cooperate to form and upper structure 156 that forms the second compartment 157 above the bottom receptacle/first compartment 153 that houses the containers in the interior space 158. In one embodiment, the structure forming the secondary compartment 157 comprises a four-sided structure 156 with two sides of the structure comprising the base portions 91 a, 93 a of the second top access flaps 91, 93 and two ends that comprise the first access flap 52 that overlaps the end portions 91 b, 93 b and the first access flap 54 that overlaps the end portions 91 c, 93 c. The second compartment 157 is open to the bottom receptacle/first compartment 153 and expands the interior volume of the carton 150 to allow ice to be placed in the partially enclosed space 159 of the second compartment 157 and supported at a location above the containers. The four walls of the structure 156 forming the second compartment 157 support the ice and funnel the ice and melted cool water down onto the containers. The liquid-tight bottom receptacle 153 keeps the cool water and ice from leaking from the carton 150 so that the containers stay cold. Containers housed in the bottom receptacle 153 can be accessed and withdrawn form the carton 150 through the second compartment 157 that allows access to the bottom receptacle/first compartment. The second compartment 157 can have other features and be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.

The features forming the top wall 154 and the access features 155 are shaped and positioned in a manner to allow the containers to be loaded into the open-ended sleeve of FIGS. 2 and 3 without interference with the first and second top panel 30, 40 that form the top wall 154. For example, the second top panel 30 includes oblique edges 72 that are shaped to provide clearance to allow the containers to be inserted into the open ended sleeve without interference.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the added interior volume afforded by activating the upstanding second compartment 157 on top of the bottom receptacle/first compartment 153 increases the carton height allowing a significant volume of cooling media such as, for example, ice to be placed on top of the beverage containers. If desired, additional articles may be placed in the carton 150 after opening and activating the second compartment. As the ice melts, the carton 150 serves to retain all or a portion of the water runoff from the melting ice by the liquid-tight features of the bottom receptacle 153.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the interior volume of the carton 150 increases by at least 10% when changed from the closed configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, to the open and expanded configuration shown in FIGS. 9-11 with the second compartment 157 formed. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the second height is at least 25% greater than the first height. Alternative configurations having different ratios between the first and second heights and volumes are considered within the scope of this disclosure.

The lower gussets 80 may define in part the at least partially liquid-tight bottom receptacle/first compartment 153 in the erected carton 150. The height of the top edge or upper border of the bottom receptacle 153 represents a portion of the bottom of the carton 150 below which no glued seals or seams are formed through which water or other liquid might leak. That is, no adhesive seal or other joinder of material where fluid might escape the carton 150 is located in the carton at a position below the top edge of the bottom receptacle 153. The bottom receptacle 153 may therefore be formed from a continuous portion of folded material of the blank 5. The receptacle height may be increased or decreased, for example, to accommodate larger or smaller anticipated liquid volumes in the carton 150.

The blank 5 can, for example, be constructed of water resistant material to any degree desired so that liquid in the bottom of the carton 150 remains in the carton 150 for a selected amount of time.

Cartons according to the principles of the present disclosure may be formed from materials such as, for example, paperboard. Therefore, if exposed to water or other liquids for extended periods of time, the carton may allow for the passage of liquid through the wetted carton surfaces due to partial permeability of the carton material. In this specification, the term “liquid-tight” is generally used to define a portion of a carton that is formed from a continuous portion of material or of a portion without any glued seams through which liquid or fine particulate matter might leak, and the term “liquid-tight” therefore encompasses cartons that may become partially water permeable over time due to prolonged exposure to water or other liquids.

In the above embodiments, the cartons are described as accommodating twenty-four 12-ounce cans containers in 4×6×1 configuration. Other arrangements of containers, packages, articles, and other items, however, can be accommodated within a carton constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure. For example, a carton constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure would also work satisfactorily if the carton were sized and shaped to hold articles in other configurations, such as 3×4×1, 3×6×1, 2×4×1, 2×5×1, 2×6×1, 4×6×1, etc., and multi-tier variations of the aforementioned configurations.

The dimensions of the blanks may also be altered, for example, to accommodate various container forms. For example, 16-ounce petaloid-shaped bottles, or bottles having any shape, may be accommodated within a carton constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure.

The blanks according to the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper (e.g., a caliper of at least about 14). The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blanks can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In the present specification, a “panel” or “flap” need not be flat or otherwise planar. A “panel” or “flap” can, for example, comprise a plurality of interconnected generally flat or planar portions.

For purposes of the description presented herein, the term “line of disruption” can be used to generally refer to, for example, a cut line, a score line, a crease line, a tear line, or a fold line (or various sequential and/or overlapping combinations thereof) formed in a blank. A “breachable” line of disruption is a line of disruption that is intended to be breached during ordinary use of the carton. An example of a breachable line of disruption is a tear line.

As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiments, selected fold lines are shown as including spaced cuts to facilitate folding along the lines. If the cuts are below or adjacent to a bottom receptacle portion of a carton, less than 100% cuts may be used to prevent leakage along the fold lines. Alternatively, cuts or scores may be omitted within or near the receptacle portion.

The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc. could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carton for holding a plurality of articles, the carton comprising: a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprises a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel, the plurality of panels forming a first compartment for holding the plurality of articles; liquid-tight features between the bottom panel and a respective one of the first side panel and the second side panel; access features in at least the top panel for accessing the interior of the carton and forming a second compartment that opens to the first compartment.
 2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the second compartment has an open top and a bottom that is open to the first compartment.
 3. The carton of claim 1, wherein the access features comprise at least one access flap in the top panel.
 4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the at least one access flap is foldably connected to the top panel and at least partially defined by a tear line in the top panel, the access flap is folded upwardly relative to the top panel to form the second compartment.
 5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the at least one access flap comprises a first access flap and a second access flap and the access features comprise a tear strip that removably connects the first access flap and the second access flap.
 6. The carton of claim 5, wherein the top panel is a first top panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second top panel that is for being overlapped by the first top panel.
 7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the access features comprises a third access flap foldably connected to the second top panel.
 8. The carton of claim 7, wherein the access features comprises a fourth access flap foldably connected to the second top panel.
 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first access flap and the second access flap comprises a male locking feature and at least one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap comprises a female locking feature.
 10. The carton of claim 9, wherein the first access flap and the second access flap overlap at least a portion of at least one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap to form the second compartment.
 11. The carton of claim 10, wherein the male locking feature engages the female locking feature to lock the at least one of the first access flap and the second access flap and the at least one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap.
 12. The carton of claim 10, wherein the third access flap and the fourth access flap comprises a respective base portion and a first end portion and a second end portion each foldably connected at a respective end of the base portion, the first access flap overlap respective first end portions of the third access flap and the fourth access flap and the second access flap overlaps respective second end portions of the third access flap and the fourth access flap to form an upper structure defining the second compartment.
 13. The carton of claim 12, wherein the upper structure comprises two sides that comprises the base portion of one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap and two ends that comprises one of the first access flap and the second access flap that overlap one of the first end portions and the second end portions of the third and fourth access flap.
 14. A blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles, the blank comprising: a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel, the plurality of panels being for forming a first compartment for holding the plurality of articles in the carton formed from the blank; features for forming liquid-tight features between the bottom panel and a respective one of the first side panel and the second side panel in the carton formed from the blank; access features in at least the top panel for allowing access to the interior of the carton formed from the blank and for forming a second compartment that opens to the first compartment in the carton formed from the blank.
 15. The blank of claim 14, wherein the access features comprise at least one access flap in the top panel.
 16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the at least one access flap is foldably connected to the top panel and at least partially defined by a tear line in the top panel, the access flap is for being folded upwardly relative to the top panel to form the second compartment in the carton formed from the blank.
 17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the at least one access flap comprises a first access flap and a second access flap and the access features comprise a tear strip that removably connects the first access flap and the second access flap.
 18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the top panel is a first top panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second top panel that is for being overlapped by the first top panel in the carton formed from the blank.
 19. The blank of claim 18, wherein the access features comprises a third access flap foldably connected to the second top panel and a fourth access flap foldably connected to the second top panel.
 20. The blank of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first access flap and the second access flap comprises a male locking feature and at least one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap comprises a female locking feature.
 21. The blank of claim 20, wherein the first access flap and the second access flap are for overlapping at least a portion of at least one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap to form the second compartment in the carton formed from the blank.
 22. The blank of claim 21, wherein the third access flap and the fourth access flap comprises a respective base portion and a first end portion and a second end portion each foldably connected at a respective end of the base portion, the first access flap is for overlapping respective first end portions of the third access flap and the fourth access flap and the second access flap is for overlapping respective second end portions of the third access flap and the fourth access flap to form an upper structure defining the second compartment in the carton formed from the blank.
 23. A method of forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles, the method comprising: obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels including a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a top panel, the blank comprises features for forming liquid-tight features between the bottom panel and a respective one of the first side panel and the second side panel and access features in at least the top panel; forming a first compartment for holding the plurality of articles by positioning the plurality of panels to form an interior of the carton; and activating the access features to access the interior of the carton and forming a second compartment that opens to the first compartment.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second compartment has an open top and a bottom that is open to the first compartment.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the access features comprise at least one access flap in the top panel.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one access flap is foldably connected to the top panel and at least partially defined by a tear line in the top panel, the activating the access flap comprises folding the access flap upwardly relative to the top panel to form the second compartment.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one access flap comprises a first access flap and a second access flap and the access features comprise a tear strip, that removably connects the first access flap and the second access flap, the activating the access features comprises removing the tear strip.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the top panel is a first top panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second top panel, the forming the first compartment comprises overlapping the second top panel with the first top panel.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the access features comprises a third access flap foldably connected to the second top panel.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the access features comprises a fourth access flap foldably connected to the second top panel.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein at least one of the first access flap and the second access flap comprises a male locking feature and at least one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap comprises a female locking feature.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the forming the second compartment comprises overlapping at least a portion of at least one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap with at least one of the first access flap and the second access flap.
 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising engaging the male locking feature and the female locking feature to lock the at least one of the first access flap and the second access flap and the at least one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the third access flap and the fourth access flap comprises a respective base portion and a first end portion and a second end portion each foldably connected at a respective end of the base portion, the forming the second compartment comprises overlapping respective first end portions of the third access flap and the fourth access flap with the first access flap and overlapping respective second end portions of the third access flap and the fourth access flap with the second access flap to form an upper structure defining the second compartment.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the upper structure comprises two sides that comprises the base portion of one of the third access flap and the fourth access flap and two ends that comprises one of the first access flap and the second access flap that overlap one of the first end portions and the second end portions of the third and fourth access flap. 